THE Highways Agency is ready for severe weather in the winter months ahead – and asking road users in the south to play their part in keeping the region moving.

An agency survey of road users found that more than half of those surveyed had encountered one or more severe weather warnings in the previous year.

However, almost half (48 per cent) admitted that they would not carry out any vehicle checks even after hearing a severe weather warning, and just under a quarter (24 per cent) would not change their journey plans.

More reassuringly, four out of ten (43 per cent) drivers said that although they would continue their journey as planned they would monitor conditions or take extra precautions.

The Highways Agency has ten dedicated winter service depots across central southern England to cover the motorways and trunk roads. The agency has detailed, tested plans to ensure that all motorways and major A roads can be treated within three hours of cold weather being forecast.

A fleet of new winter service vehicles, introduced last year, will be in operation across the region throughout the winter period.

The distinctive new orange vehicles, part of a £45m investment by the Highways Agency, mark a move towards use of pre-wet salt, which gets to work faster on the road surface to prevent ice formation, and is more friendly to vehicles and the environment, because less salt is used.

The vehicles also have state- of-the-art monitoring equipment on board, are more efficient, environmentally friendly and cost efficient than the old style yellow vehicles they replace.

Martin Hobbs, the Highways Agency’s head of severe weather strategy, said: “Last February’s severe weather was a tough test of our winter preparations.

“However we have learned lessons from that experience, and we have strengthened our capability to face any future challenges.”

Surinder Bhangu, winter services manager in central southern England, said: “Although the Highways Agency is well prepared for winter, we want road users across the region to play their part too.

“Not every journey is essential in severe weather, and our survey shows that sometimes people head out without taking steps to avoid being caught out.

“We are asking drivers to carry out simple vehicle checks before they set out, to carry a severe weather emergency kit in their vehicles and to monitor the traffic and weather conditions and plan their journeys by using our website, listening to local radio stations, or by calling our information line 08457 50 40 30.”

It’s not just snow and ice, but also strong winds, heavy rain and thick fog that can affect journeys on the roads.